Comments on: Bio

By: Linda Harvey

Linda Harvey — Mon, 24 May 2010 04:56:49 +0000

This may be a delayed reaction, but I just read a reprint of your “Coming Home” article in Utne Magazine. I also share your experience with the concept of holding two contradicting thoughts. I am a christian who was raised in the church ahd heavily involved in many areas of ministry including serving as an elder for 6 years. I have run away from that “family” but still firmly hold a belief in God. Although I am not gay, I feel much frustration with the animosity Christians hold towards the gay community. After experiencing a number of emotional tragedys I gave up on believing God was good. I was a caregiver for a disabled man and had to take him to a weekly church service, my first time back at church in about 3 years. Those were healing and refreshing times for me, often leaving me in tears but genuinely experiencing the loving presence of God. The minister was gay. and the church even had a float entry in the annual gay pride parade…. I would like to hear how some fundamentalist Christians can explain God using a gay minister to reach a lost and hurting child such as myself.

By: Jon Odell

Jon Odell — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:20:03 +0000

Zachary, I’m proud that the article impressed you enough to reference in your paper. Let me know if there is any way I can be of further assistance. And if you are willing, I would love to read your paper. Good luck in your studies. I’m excited about the path you have taken as a gay Christian. We need your voice.

By: Zachary Dehm

Zachary Dehm — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:24:19 +0000

I recently read your article in Commonweal Magazine entitled “Coming Home,” and am planning on using it in a paper I’m writing. I greatly enjoyed your article and just wanted to let you know that you present the issue of homosexuality and theology in a whole new light. As a homosexual and hopefully a budding theologian myself, your article was truly inspiring.

By: Jon Odell

Jon Odell — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:06:21 +0000

Thanks, Trixie, that’s a high compliment coming from you. I’d like to link up to your website, at the risk of putting mine to shame. But I’m willing to take that risk if it means enlightening the masses to your sage pronouncements. I know I’ll never be quite the same, no matter how much I try.

By: Jon Odell

Jon Odell — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:01:05 +0000

Thanks, Scott. It’s great to be in communication again. I bet with both have some great stories to share in catching up. A lot of things can happen in 40 years!